Mapping the ageing workforce: Labour force participation among older adults in Swedish regions

Sebastian Hanika - Department of Human Geography

Population ageing

  • Population ageing:
    changes in the age structure of a population resulting in an increase in the proportion of older adults

My research interest originates from three points: 

  • Population ageing is a challenge and not a catastrophe
  • Demographic intervention is a futile endeavour
  • Population ageing is a geographically diverse phenomenon

Drivers of population ageing

Population ageing in Sweden

Spatial variation in ageing

  • Population ageing is not equal across space
  • On the regional level migration becomes a powerful driver
  • More rural areas have progressed further in population ageing

Ageing and labour markets

  • Labour markets are central to the economics of population ageing:
    • Workforces are ageing
    • Labour supply is decreasing
    • Yet older workers face many obstacles to continue working
  • Old-age employment is mainly influenced by:
    • Health
    • Gender
    • Employment
    • Retirement policies
  • Regional demographics and labour markets are connected

Research aims

  • There is excessive emphasis on the extreme ends of both the age spectrum and the urban-rural continuum

My research aims are to:

  • Integrate demographic and geographic perspective on population ageing and its relation to the labour market dynamics.
  • Investigate the factors that contribute to spatial variations in the labour force participation of older workers

Research Questions

Question 1:

  • What are the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of older workers and how do they differ across regions?

Question 2:

  • What role does the composition and dynamics of local labour markets play in shaping labour force participation of older worker?

Research Questions

Question 3:

  • What is the impact of life course events on labour force participation and employment status during old age?

Question 4:

  • What are the migration patterns of older workers in the period leading up to their retirement, and how do these patterns influence their decisions regarding employment and retirement?

Research design & Outlook

  • Compilation thesis (four articles)
  • Quantitative methods
  • Using swedish register data
  • Open for input on potential use of qualitative methods